VIDEO GAMES: Forced Into Moral Dilemmas For Fun

Most impressive is the evolution of the spy vs. spy multiplayer into a spy vs. mercenaries scenario. Teams of covert operatives can now creep through enemy territory while players with completely different abilities and controls hunt them. All of this takes place within the series' usual backdrop of breathtaking graphics, which are even better now that there's enough light to see them.

MORTAL KOMBAT: ARMAGEDDON BY MIDWAY (3 1/2 stars)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox.
Rated: M.

Mortal Kombat has always been about overkill, but never quite like this. Every funky looking warrior from the entire MK mythology is present, and if that's not enough, you can "kreate" your own warrior. It's a fanboy's dream, but the kombat mechanics are beginning to show their age, and the tacked-on mini-game is ineffably goofy. Imagine Mario Kart, except with each crash resulting in a blood splatter with the word "Fatality" on the screen. Seriously.

TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 07 BY EA SPORTS (4 stars)
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Xbox.
Rated: E.

The Tiger Woods franchise feels so authentic to the sport, it's difficult at this point to suggest ways to improve it. A long, green fairway can only look so impressive, but then the Game Face feature compensates for that by allowing you to fashion the most realistic avatars in video games. The characters in the 360 version are so lifelike, it feels like they turned the uncanny valley into a golf course.

LEGEND OF SPYRO: A NEW BEGINNING BY VIVENDI GAMES/SIERRA ENTERTAINMENT (3 stars)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube.
Rated: E10+.

There's a certain purple dragon who refuses to take his place alongside Crash Bandicoot, Duke Nukem, and Gex the Gecko in the land of washed-up video game characters. But to Spyro's credit, his latest adventure boasts some impressive production values. The graphics and particle affects are pure eye candy, and the voice cast even includes names like Elijah Wood.